Dairyman Frank Faria pulls a piece of plywood over an opening in a calf barn at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria pulls a piece of plywood over an opening in a...

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Cows wait to be milked at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Cows wait to be milked at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in...

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A worker moves cows that are waiting to be milked at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A worker moves cows that are waiting to be milked at the Faria...

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A worker attaches a suction device to a cow's udder at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A worker attaches a suction device to a cow's udder at the Faria...

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Dairyman Frank Faria produces milk from a cow before applying a suction device at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria produces milk from a cow before applying a...

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Milk is seen on the floor of a milking barn at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Milk is seen on the floor of a milking barn at the Faria Dairy Farm...

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A cow looks on at a suction device that is attached to a cow's udder at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A cow looks on at a suction device that is attached to a cow's...

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Milk drips from a tank at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Milk drips from a tank at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in...

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A worker attaches a suction device to a cow's udder at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A worker attaches a suction device to a cow's udder at the Faria...

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Milk drips from a cow's udder after being milked at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Milk drips from a cow's udder after being milked at the Faria Dairy...

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Dairyman Frank Faria checks on cows at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria checks on cows at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3,...

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Cows eat hay at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Cows eat hay at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon,...

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A cow eats hay at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A cow eats hay at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon,...

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Jake Faria takes a break while working at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Jake Faria takes a break while working at the Faria Dairy Farm June...

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Dairyman Frank Faria goes through a stack of mail and paperwork at his home on the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria goes through a stack of mail and paperwork at...

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Dairyman Frank Faria checks a Holstein calf at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Dairyman Frank Faria (R) helps move cows into a truck at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria (R) helps move cows into a truck at the Faria...

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A bumper sticker is posted on the back of a cattle trailer in the parking lot of the Escalon Livestock Market June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A bumper sticker is posted on the back of a cattle trailer in the...

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Dairyman Frank Faria (L) gets a stack of mail from his wife Patricia as he drives his truck on the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria (L) gets a stack of mail from his wife...

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A Holstein cow is auctioned off at the Escalon Livestock Market June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A Holstein cow is auctioned off at the Escalon Livestock Market...

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A bull is auctioned off at the Escalon Livestock Market June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

A bull is auctioned off at the Escalon Livestock Market June 3,...

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Dairyman Frank Faria (R) and his son Jake Faria look over cows at the Faria Dairy Farm June 2, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices continue to plummet due to a weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk went from $17 per one hundred pounds down to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria (R) and his son Jake Faria look over cows at...

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Dairyman Frank Faria wipes his eyes after a short nap in his home at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Dairyman Frank Faria wipes his eyes after a short nap in his home...

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Dairyman Frank Faria walks a cow back to its pen after milking at the Faria Dairy Farm June 3, 2009 in Escalon, California. As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.

As milk prices plummet due to weakening international and national demand, dairy farmers across the U.S. are struggling to turn a profit, prompting many to sell off their cattle for slaughter and turn fields into corn crops. Within the past year, milk has gone from $17 per one hundred pounds to $10 per hundred pounds. Most dairy farmers say they need to make at least $15 per hundred pounds to break even.